The studio core comprises Spike Slawson on vocals, bassist Fat Mike, Joey Cape on guitar and backing vocals, Dave Raun on drums, and Chris Shiflett on guitar (his brother Scott of Face To Face/Viva Death fills in for Chris on tour). Touring members have included Brian Baker (Bad Religion/Minor Threat), Barry DaLive (Crosstops/RKL), Eric Melvin (NOFX), Matthew MacNasty (bagpipes player from the Real McKenzies), and Warren Fitzgerald (The Vandals).
Originally a themed 7" singles project, now each of their full length albums covers a different genre of music spanning the 50's to the 90's. Their first release in 1997 was entitled Have a Ball, followed by Are a Drag in 1999. In 2001 they released Blow in the Wind and two years later released Take a Break. Almost immediately after the release of Take a Break the released a live album Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah The genres they've butchered now include country, on Love Their Country featuring covers of songs made popular by The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash and others. Their most recent release is a collection of B-sides from their album Have a Ball, simply titled Have Another Ball.
The Gimme Gimmes perform to entertain themselves as much as for the entertainment of their fans. Their albums and concerts are some of the most lighthearted and off the wall musical experiences in the punk world. Concerts are often interrupted between songs to freshen cocktails at the on stage tiki bar. CD liner notes relate the hardships of recording such as Fat Mike getting so caught up in "Wild World" that he believed he was Fat Stevens, a guitar-toting Islamic Extremist, so that when Spike sang "All My Lovin" he mistook it for "Allah my Lovin" and condemned Spike to death for heresy.
The Gimmes are also known for their costumes. Each album has a 'theme' for which they all dress up for the cover art and live shows. Some themes include red suits, metallic suits with fezzes, cheerleader outfits, drag (each Gimme dressed as a character from a musical they took songs from on the cover of Are a Drag: Chris Shiflett was Columbia and Spike was Dr Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror, Joey Cape was Annie, Fat Mike was Sandy from Grease and Dave Raun was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz). During a Warped Tour they dressed as AFI, to the confusion of many fans. Most recently they have been dressing as cowboys, but are possibly best known for their lurid Hawaiian shirts.
Or their live album, "Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah", the band performed for a crowd of 30 at a Bar Mitzvah. The CD contained video of the actual event and the liner notes were written by attendee Benjamin Rosenblatt who describes the events: "They made a lot of mistakes. They even started a song then stopped, then started again." -track 7 "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the CD.
My Favorite Things
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't feel so fucking bad
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
Then I don't feel so bad
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream collored ponies and crisp apple strudel
Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
Then I don't feel so bad
Yeah! Yeah!
The song "Favorite Things" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a cover of the classic song from the musical "The Sound of Music." Interestingly, the original song is a cheerful tune about simple pleasures in life, whereas the Gimme Gimme's version adds a lot of sarcasm and a punk rock energy to the lyrics. The lines "Like a dog bite, like a bee sting / I don't feel so f*cking bad" set the mocking and rebellious tone of the entire song. The band seems to be saying that even though they might be hurt by life's little stings and bites, they are tough enough to handle it without getting too upset.
The rest of the lyrics describe various things that the lead singer likes, such as raindrops on roses, cream-colored ponies, and crisp apple strudel. These images are meant to be a contrast to the dark and edgy opening lines, suggesting that even though life can be hard, there are still things worth appreciating. The song ends with a repetition of the message that thinking about these "favorite things" can help the singer feel better when they're feeling sad.
Overall, "Favorite Things" is a clever and entertaining take on a beloved song, adding a punk twist to the original message of finding joy in life's small moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a dog bite, like a bee sting
Comparing the pain felt from a dog bite or bee sting with the overall sadness of life.
I don't feel so fucking bad
Despite the pain and sadness, the singer finds some solace which helps them to not feel completely miserable.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
The small things in life, like rain on a rose or a kitten's whiskers, can bring joy to one's day.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Objects that represent warmth, comfort, and coziness.
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
Simple pleasures that can bring excitement, such as receiving a gift in simple, unassuming packaging.
These are a few of my favorite things
Listing the things that bring joy to the singer's life.
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudel
The pleasures of indulging in delicious foods and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles
Sounds and smells that evoke nostalgia and happy memories.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
The natural beauty and majesty of wildlife and the world around us.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
Repeating the earlier sentiment that life can be painful and sad.
When I'm feeling sad
Describing a state of sadness which can feel overwhelming.
I simply remember my favorite things
Focusing on the comforting and happy aspects of life in order to lift one's spirits.
Then I don't feel so bad
The strategy of shifting focus to happy thoughts can have a real impact on one's overall emotional state.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein Ii
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind